What can we learn from Joshua 10:4 about alliances with ungodly leaders? Tracing the Scene “Come up to me and help me; let us attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” (Joshua 10:4) • Five Amorite kings unite because Gibeon chose covenant with Israel. • Their objective is not justice but vengeance against a city aligned with God’s people. • The alliance is birthed in fear, pride, and hostility toward God’s revealed plan (Joshua 9:3–15; 10:1–5). What the Amorite Alliance Shows Us • Ungodly leaders bond over common rebellion, not shared righteousness. • The call, “Come up to me and help me,” appeals to mutual self-interest, not moral conviction. • When people oppose God, they often recruit others so that sin feels safer in a crowd (cf. Psalm 2:1–3). • The alliance positions its members directly against the Lord, guaranteeing defeat (Joshua 10:8–11). Biblical Warnings About Joining Such Alliances • “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” (2 Corinthians 6:14) • “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” (Psalm 1:1) • “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20) • “Do not make friends with an angry man… lest you learn his ways.” (Proverbs 22:24-25) • “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Consequences Modeled in Joshua 10 1. Rapid escalation of conflict—what starts as one king’s grievance becomes regional war. 2. Divine intervention against the alliance—hailstones and extended daylight (Joshua 10:11-14). 3. Public exposure of ungodly motives—their defeat magnifies God’s supremacy (Joshua 10:42). Guiding Principles for Today • Examine motives: partnerships formed to oppose God’s truth invite judgment. • Ask whether the alliance honors or hinders obedience to Scripture. • Short-term security gained through compromise leads to long-term loss. • Stand with those who honor God, even if it means standing apart from the majority. Positive Alternative: Align With God’s Purposes • Gibeon’s peace treaty, though imperfectly obtained, placed the city under Israel’s protection and ultimately under Yahweh’s blessing (Joshua 9:22-27). • “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8) • When God directs a partnership, He supplies victory and lasting peace (Joshua 10:25; Romans 8:31). Key Takeaways • Alliances rooted in rebellion against God multiply trouble. • Scripture consistently warns against binding ourselves to leaders who defy God’s standards. • Safety and success are found in covenant faithfulness, not in numbers or political convenience. |
    |